Home brewing expert to teach class for N-W

by jmaloni

Thu, Sep 1st 2011 11:35 am

by Lisa Bielmeier

Home brewing is becoming
more popular than ever. Right now there are 1,595 breweries that operate in the U.S. alone.

For those interested in
producing their own fermented beverages, the Niagara-Wheatfield Adult Education
program is currently offering six sessions with renowned local and national
expert Dr. Erwin Brese.

Brese has won many awards
on the local, state and national levels for his home brews and has judged many
prestigious competitions and lectured on the art of home brews.

"I have been home brewing
since 1989," says Brese. "I think home brews are so much healthier for you than
the mass produced stuff you find at the stores. By using organic ingredients,
it is filled with vitamins and minerals and it is great for your cardiovascular
system."

Brese stresses that he
tells people to be moderate in their consumption and says he and other home
brewers who he associates with make it a social event when they get together.
"Home brewing takes a while, so my wife and I will have friends over and we all
make a dish to pass, and we have great conversations and just enjoy and relax
with one another. At the end of the night, we have a great product that we can
either consume on our own or give away as gifts."

Those taking the class will
learn about the history and composition of beer and other beverages and there
will be hands-on experience to demonstrate the making of beer, birch beer, wine
and mead. "This process is an art and a science," says Brese. "Everyone always
has a great time and some have even gone on to make a hobby or a living from
it."

Participants will be making
their own craft beers and will get to bottle it up and take it home.

Because participants will
be sampling the fruits of their labor, they must be 21 years old to participate
in the class. Cost of the class is $60, and it will be held at the Sanborn Fire
Hall on Tuesdays, starting Sept. 13 and running to Nov. 1 (no classes on Sept.
20 and Oct. 18).

To register, call the
Niagara-Wheatfield Adult Education Office at 215-3010, or to register by mail,
download the Adult Education brochure at www.nwcsd.k12.ny.us/adulted.